Page 1 of Demon Stalked
1
ZOLROTH
“No, I wasn’t exaggerating,” I huff into the phone as I pace back and forth, wearing holes into my bedroom rug. “I meant what I said.” I pause, listening to the whiny voice on the other end, before sighing heavily. “Yes, fifty-five and a half dozen red roses.”
Honestly, you’d think I was bloody asking the florist to cut off his hand and eat it by his behavior. Shouldn’t he want my business?
If my calculations are correct—which they are—that should be exactly six hundred and sixty-six red roses, soon to be delivered to Katrina’s hotel room.
Katrina.
My heart hurts just thinking of her—the girl who in a span of weeks has quickly become my entire world. I can picture her now with her bright pink hair, soft smile, as if she’s in the midst of telling a secret, and sparkling eyes.
But she left us—leftme—a few days ago, after she discovered that she was our Center. In demonic terms, that’s a fated mate and the only person capable of making a demon vulnerable to physical harm. She selflessly decided to leave our murder of demons in order to save us from the angel flock hunting us.
But we’re too selfish, too in love with her, to let her go.
Or at least, I am.
I haven’t seen the other demons in my murder since she walked out the door, taking with her a piece of my soul. Two pieces, actually, since I had gotten immensely attached to her four-year-old brother, Adam, as well.
Scowling, I rattle off my credit card information to the florist before switching my phone off and tossing it onto my bed.
I need to domore.
Six hundred and sixty-six roses aren’t enough to win back my fated mate, my Center, the love of my life.
I turn towards one of the many bedroom mirrors adorning my wall, smoothing out a small wrinkle in the pants of my gray suit. The light color contrasts greatly with my dark skin and my buzzed black hair. At some point during the numerous phone calls I sent out, I rolled up my sleeves to my elbow. Now, I straighten them out and fix my red tie.
As a materialism demon, it’s unsurprising that I enjoy the finer things life has to offer. Expensive clothing, for one. This suit alone cost nearly seven thousand dollars. Though…
I frown slightly as I stare at my reflection.
Though I could’ve used that money to buy Katrina twenty thousand more roses.
I’ve never had towooa woman before. Normally, they flock towards me like moths to a flame. It could be my ethereal good looks…or it could be my British accent. Girls like a good accent.
Hell, maybe it’s both.
But what else can I gift Katrina that she doesn’t already have? I could find her deadbeat parents and…what? What would I do with them? They left Katrina and their son after their house burned down. We may or may not have also sent an anonymous tip to the FBI implicating them in a fraud case. But you know, semantics.
Still, I’m happy they’re out of Katrina and Adam’s life, even though I know both of them are hurt by it. Katrina is operating under this false mentality that they left because she’s not good enough, and Adam is just confused as to why his parents don’t love him as much as his sister does.
Okay, parents are out. What else?
My love is on the decathlon team, and despite their last-place win at the out-of-state competition, I know she loves the team. Maybe I can purchase a set of flashcards?
Don’t be a bloody imbecile, Zolroth! Flashcards are not a romantic gift.
My mind snaps back to the poster I saw in the school hall for theNightmare Before Christmasdance. Despite being in early December, only a week or two away from Christmas break, the student senate decided to host a Halloween-themed dance. It’s tacky, if I do say so myself, but it might just be my saving grace.
Smiling triumphantly at my new idea, I grab my phone off the bed and dial the number of the local boutique specializing in custom-made dresses.
As soon as the woman on the other end picks up, I say, “Hanna, darling, I would like to schedule an appointment for later this week.”
* * *
I don’t knowwhy I’m still attending school when Katrina is ignoring me.
